Several Butler institutions announced in late September the launch of a program that aims to replenish the dwindling number of volunteer firefighters in the region.

A new citizens fire academy in Butler is the result of a collaboration between the Butler Township Volunteer Fire District, Butler Bureau of Fire and Butler County Community College.

Even better, the monthlong, five-class program — which teaches participants the ropes of being a firefighter — will be offered free. It begins Oct. 16.

Any program that aims to recruit firefighters for Butler County communities is a great — and increasingly necessary — idea.

Much has been made about the decrease in volunteer firefighters across Pennsylvania. A legislative study last year found the number of volunteer firefighters has decreased from about 300,000 in the 1970s to about 35,000 today.

A whopping 96 percent of the state’s firefighters are volunteers, according to Fire Engineering, a national magazine that focuses on fire and emergency services personnel.

In other words, most of Pennsylvania’s firefighters don’t get paid for the dangerous jobs they do.

So, it’s great to hear about local initiatives to address this problem.

The new citizens fire academy will teach participants everything from search-and- rescue operations to vehicle extrications, and will include a live fire demonstration.

“We want to provide education for the public, and if we can gain some members out of it, that would be great too,” said Kevin Smith, coordinator of BC3’s fire and hazmat training programs.

Meanwhile, Mars Bank is teaming up with BC3 for a fundraising drive known as Step Forward that will support the college’s firefighter training program.

And this year, a state bill was introduced to provide college debt forgiveness for volunteer firefighters after they serve four years.

These new initiatives could complement recent wise decisions by local municipalities. In July, the Butler City Council approved the promotion of three firefighters from part time to full time.

In January, Center Township discussed a plan to unite several municipalities into a cooperative organization that would station paid firefighters in the region to handle calls.

The region’s new paid firefighters can increase coverage for local fire departments and provide additional training for volunteers, offering them direction and increasing efficiency and morale.

We hope the new citizens academy and other initiatives to enlist volunteers will help to reverse the dangerous trend of staff shortages at firehouses in the county.